A friend of mine loved this movie from the time it was released, we watched it together many times over the years. Sadly, we lost him to Cancer this year. He was 45. This movie will always remind me of him. RIP.
I can relate, Dude. A friend of mine who introduced me to this movie sadly passed away over 3 years ago at 43. We would often quote this movie back and forth.
I get the idea that this is one of those movies that everyone who knows it watches with their best friend. I haven't seen my friend in a while since he moved away, but we always used to watch this. Maybe well do it again next time I see him. Sorry to hear about your guys' friends. I wish you all the best and hopefully you can look back fondly on those memories
I live in the city where the directors were born and they're very much loved locally. The bowling alleys in the area have "Big Lebowski" nights where everyone dresses up and white Russians are on sale at the bar. It's good fun.
St. Louis Park? I'm about half a mile away inside Minneapolis. St Louis Park is also the home of Al Franken - illustrious comedian, podcaster and accomplished US Senator.
I love how the Dude adopts phrases throughout the movie, even borrows, for his dream sequence, the outfit the cable guy wore + the dance by his landlord…
This movie is based on the famous Raymond Chandler detective novel THE BIG SLEEP which has been adapted into many other movies and TV shows over the years.
To ‘Feed the monkey’ means to pursue your addictions.So if you’re on drugs you do whatever you can to get more drugs to ‘feed the monkey on your back’. Hope that helps
This is my top favorite comedy together with Dr Strangelove. At the time the movie was released two of my closest friends resembled the Dude and Walter so much that this movie became twice as finny for me (me i always though of the trio i was Donnie).
He’s drinking the mixed drink called a White Russian: Coffee liqueur (Kahlula), vodka, and cream over ice, which he occasionally refers to as a “Caucasian).
"Good night sweet prince." Shakespeare wrote this line in "Hamlet." Gene Fowler used it as the title for his biography of actor John Barrymore. This is where Walter's goodbye to Donnie comes from.
Yes! One of my favorite comedies of all-time. I've lost count how many times I have watched this or turned people onto it; an absolutely clever, hilarious classic.
You were right that the cowboy (Sam Elliott) was in the most recent iteration of "A Star is Born." (The first 2 women to play the Lady Gaga role were Judy Garland & Barbra Streisand.) I enjoy all of the reactions you do, but hearing you laugh and react to comedies is a unique pleasure!! Two comedies I'd recommend are "Best in Show" (2000) and "Napoleon Dynamite" (2004). They are quirky and fun!
Just an explanation for a reference; when Walter says "This is not Nam Smokey, this is bowling, there are rules" he refers to Vietnam where he served in the war. The Vietnam war was super unpopular, and Walter compares the lack of adhering to rules of engagement in war to Smokey breaking Bowling rules
@41:00 "shamus, private snoop, dick" are all English slang terms for a private detective/investigator not affiliated with the Police. If you all enjoyed this kind of humor you would definitely enjoy "The 40 Year Old Virgin." It would have you all crying with laughter.
Walters an arsehole... but hes the type of arsehole you want on your side, hes a handful but a good guy and a good friend when the moment arises. The Dude is how we should all be in life really, and Donny, you either know one or are one (im a Donny). Seen the movie many times myself over the decades... but even just watching another reaction (and ive seen many) I AGAIN learned and saw a few new things I hadnt noticed or clicked on before. Its the movie that keeps on giving every time, amazingly deep if you dig at it Must admit some of the comments during the reaction got a raised eyebrow and chuckle out of me lol.
In most movies the main character drives the plot. In this cast the plot drives the main character. The Dude is on the same journey as us as viewers......just along for the ride. This movie is a "cult classic" here in the states. A new religion was born out of it.....for real. I remember seeing the commercials and thinking..."What the hell is this movie? I don't know, but I have to see it." I could tell it would be fight up my alley. Cohen brothers, Bridges, Buschemi, Goodman are you kidding me!!!!????. I was 25 at the time of it's release and a huge watcher of movies as were most of us Gen Exers , so I was pretty familiar with all parties involved. A couple of other great "cult classics" i recommend are "Blue Velvet" and "River's Edge" (with apologies to Elle).
My weird theory is the Sam Elliot character may actually be an Angel. He's got supernatural knowledge. A similar character turns up in Fargo TV the series - at a bowling alley!
The Big Lebowski is one of the most philosophically informative films ever put to the screen. A true example of a life well lived in stark contradiction of all external efforts to assign it a relative meaning/value